Abstract: A worm gear is connected to a machine tool component and has teeth mating with teeth on a power driven worm rotatably supported by a housing enclosing the worm. A clamping shoe is supported for sliding movement within a slot in the housing and has a compound curved inner surface positioned to engage the teeth on the worm. A cam shaft is supported for rotation by the housing and extends laterally through a hole within the clamping shoe. A fluid cylinder is connected to rotate the cam shaft for moving the clamping shoe radially between a released position and a clamping position pressing the teeth on the worm against the teeth on the worm gear by slightly deflecting the worm to lock the head from any movement.

Abstract: A carriage or slide of a machine tool is moved along a supporting guideway or way by a pair of driven pinions engaging a rack, and each pinion is mounted on the output shaft of a corresponding planetary gearbox. The input shafts of the gearboxes are driven by a reversible electric motor through an endless belt and pulley system. A pair of belt tension wheels engage the endless belt and are supported by a set of spring biased slide members which cooperate to establish a predetermined tension in the belt and a predetermined preload torque on the input and output shafts of the gearboxes to produce a corresponding anti-backlash force of the pinions against the rack.

Abstract: A large generally cylindrical workpiece is supported for rotation and driven by a set of axially spaced floor supported units each including a pair of parallel spaced cradle rolls. The cradle rolls of each unit are supported by a surrounding frame, and a pair of trunnions support each frame and cradle rolls for tilting movement on a transverse axis. Each unit also has a set of power operated screw jacks which precisely position the cradle rolls at a selected elevation, and the cradle rolls of one unit have resilient outer surfaces and are driven by an endless chain drive system. The cradle rolls of another unit are positioned within a cooling liquid to prevent overheating of the rolls by a heated workpiece, and each unit carries air inflatible flotation cells to facilitate moving the unit. A horizontal track extends parallel to the cradle rolls and supports a carriage having a portion projecting cantileveredly above the workpiece.